Improvement in invalid bedsteads



UNITED STATES THOMAS A. MCFARLANI), OF ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN INVALID BEDSTEADS.

Specication forming part of Letters Patent No. 117, 440, dated July 25, 1871.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS A. MCFARLAND, of the city and county of Erie and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain 'new and useful Improvements in Invalid Beds 5 and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and eX- act description of the same, reference .being-had to the accompanying drawing and the letters of reference marked thereon makin g a part of this specification, in which- Eigure l is a side view of the bedstead with my improvements attached when extended, so that the invalid may lie at full length. Eig. 2 is a side view of the bedstead when closed, and converted substantially into a chair with an adjustable back. Fig. 3 is a cross oftwo side pieces, showing a modification of the connection ofthe fixed with the sliding part of the bedstead, in which a telescopic joint is employed.

The drawing is made on the usual scale.

My invention relates to improvements in invalid bedsteads; and consists in constructing the side pieces in two parts, one fixed and the other movable or sliding, the two parts being supported by posts, and each being connected by cross-pieces, on which rests a bed-frame, one portion of which is hinged, to adjust the head and the upper part of the body of the invalid to any desired inclination, by means of a rack and lever or other equivalent device. Ihe other part is also hinged, so that the bedstead maybe converted, when desired, substantially into a chair with an adjustable back, as hereinafter more fully set forth.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will now proceed to describe its construction and operation.

A A are the posts of the fixed portion of the bedstead connected together by the side pieces B B and the ordinary cross-pieces. C C are the posts of the sliding part of the bedstead, connected by a cross-piece, and provided with side pieces o o, made to fit snugly between and against the inner faces of the parts B B. The side pieces o o are supported horizontally by the cross-piece at the lower end of the fixed part of the bedstead, and are provided with a tongue which slides into a groove cut in the side pieces B B. The frame b a 11l which supports the bed is made in three parts, the parts b and h being hin ged at c and d to the part a of the bed-frame.

q is a rock-shaft, having its bearings in the side p pieces B B, to which are attached the projections a n. These projections lie directly under the hinged pieces b bof the bed-frame. e is a lever on the ri ght-hand end of the rock-shaft, by means of which the adjustable parts b l) of the bedframe may be raised or lowered to any desired inclination, being held in any required position by means of the rack m and proj ecting supports a n., so that the head and the upper portion of the body ofl the invalid may be adjusted to any angle. h is the lower portion of the bed-frame, hinged at d. to the part a., and having a foot-rest, l, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. ing frame is extended and the part b of the bedframe somewhat elevated, so that the invalid may lie at full length with his head raised. In Fig. 42 the part b of the bed-frame is more elevated than in Fig. l, and the sliding frame is closed, the part h of the bed-frame falling by gravity, and the feet of' the invalid being supported by the foot-rest Z. The bedstead is then substantially converted into a chair with an adjustable back. In the modification shown in Fig. 3, of, one of the side pieces of the fixed frame is made hollow and the side piece r of the sliding frame is made to .fit into it, making a telescopic joint.

Havin g thus fully described my invention, what I claim therein as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

The side pieces B B, in combination with the sliding pieces o o and bed-frame b a h hinged at c and d, whereby the bedstead may be used as such, or converted into a chair with an adjustable back, substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my naine to this specification` in the presence of two subscribin g witnesses.

THOMAS A. MGFARLAND.

Witnesses I. M. COOPER, J. V. FILKlNs.

In Fig. l the slid- 

